Throughout history, transformative technologies have often been underestimated in their early days. Case in point, in 1995 when astronomer and computer enthusiast Clifford Stoll infamously declared in a Newsweek article that the internet was a passing fad, stating: “No online database will replace your daily newspaper, no CD-ROM can take the place of a competent teacher.”
How wrong he was. Nearly 30 years later, the internet has transformed our world in ways that were unimaginable back then. What once seemed like a niche technology has revolutionized how we live, work, communicate, shop, learn, and beyond.
And now, we find ourselves at a similar moment with artificial intelligence – the buzzword heard round the watercooler since OpenAI’s ChatGPT made its debut near the end of 2022. Yet, as the initial hype cools and for some early attempts with ‘AI solutions’ fall short there is a temptation to wonder if AI is truly the revolutionary technology promised.
At Shapiro+Raj, we see AI as just getting started. While, of course, AI in some form has been with us since as early as the 1950s, we believe we are currently at a pivotal inflection point. Understanding the convergence of three critical forces poised to transforming our relationship with AI will help individuals and businesses not just embrace AI as it is today, but also envision its evolution. With that foresight, business can actively participate in crafting AI’s future and stay ahead of the curve.
Humans are linear, but technology is exponential.
…and we are only at the foothills of the acceleration.
Human minds process information and develop ideas incrementally. Technology, on the other hand, follows an exponential growth curve, with advancements building upon each other at an accelerating rate. This trend, famously encapsulated by Moore’s Law, has been a driving force behind the remarkable leaps we have witnessed in computing power, data storage, and connectivity throughout history – and we are at the precipice of acceleration of this curve with AI. For many of us, we have not even yet begun to comprehend how much AI is going to change every facet of our lives. We firmly believe that for businesses to embrace AI means they push past linear thinking and build teams and processes that more than incorporate AI, they are purposefully designed to maximize both AI and human impact.
AI is a general-purpose technology, accessible to all.
…empowering those who proactively embrace it to thrive in unprecedented ways.
AI has transcended its roots as a specialized tool confined to tech giants and data scientists. Its true power lies in its versatility and accessibility to all. Like the steam engine and printing press before, AI is the innovation that fuels revolution across industries and applications. From the local mom-and-pop shop to global conglomerates, from healthcare to agriculture – AI can empower and transform enterprises of every size and industry. And new ways of interacting with and leveraging AI have significantly lowered the barriers to entry. It is no longer limited to the tech elite; it is a tool for everyone to utilize, adapt, and flourish with. This means businesses that get ahead will not consider AI as a tool to solve individual problems but as a way of working that underpins their business model.
Content creation is only the tip of the iceberg.
…code generation will transform the way we interact with the world.
While the recent surge of generative AI models producing eerily human-like text and imagery has captured our collective imagination, these capabilities merely scratch the surface of AI’s full potential. What lies beneath the surface is AI’s capacity to fundamentally transform how we approach and execute tasks themselves. Beyond simply generating content, AI can seamlessly analyze complex systems and generate tailored code at lightning speed. This is the future we are expediently hurtling towards – a reality where our experiences and existence are fundamentally more natural and direct, rather than relying on point-and-click interfaces. To embrace this shift, brands and business must reevaluate their customers’ needs and fundamentally re-envision the experience their customers are likely to come to expect in the future.
At Shapiro Raj, we are taking bold steps forward to help our clients future-proof.
At Shapiro+Raj, we know AI is not a passing fad, but a transformative force that will reshape how we live and work in profound ways. That is why we are looking beyond today’s hype-cycle on AI to actively envision and build the future of AI-fueled insights today. As futurist Reid Hoffman put it “You only create a better future by first envisioning it and then working towards it.”
We invite you to join us in exploring how AI can future-proof your business and elevate your insights. Reach out today at [email protected] to continue the conversation about how we can unlock AI’s transformative potential together.
About Shapiro+Raj
Shapiro+Raj, the sixth-largest independent insights company in North America, generates Future-Forward Insights for Fortune 500 clients. Recognized as the top-5 most innovative research company, the #1 strategic insights consultancy, and the largest Nationally Certified Minority Business Enterprise, Shapiro+Raj operates from Chicago, New York, and Pune, India, serving global clients. For more information, contact Shapiro+Raj at (312) 965-2319 or visit https://www.shapiroraj.com.